ARTESIA – A 12-year-old boy was killed after being struck by a van while walking to school Thursday, authorities said Friday.

The boy was identified as Alec Sorin of Artesia, said Lt. Larry Dietz of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

Sorin was walking in a crosswalk at the intersection of Gridley Road and 178th Street at 7:10 a.m. when the van lost control while traveling southbound on Gridley, struck Sorin, hit a curb on the right and smashed into a block wall adjacent to a residence, said Sgt. Andy Berg of the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station.

Sorin was declared dead at the scene from massive body trauma, said Deputy Jake Boersma of the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station.

A crossing guard and a high school-aged girl were nearby but were not hit, Berg said.

The 36-year-old driver was not injured and was not arrested, pending further investigation.

“Everyone’s traumatized by (the accident),” Berg said.

Officials from Sorin’s school, Faye Ross Middle School in Artesia, came to the scene, and the school has grief counselors ready for any students who have been affected, Berg said.

Police do not believe the van was traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck Sorin and are unsure why the driver lost control.

The intersection in the residential area is not controlled by a stop sign or a traffic light, Boersma said.

“A car that weighs a couple thousand pounds can do a lot of damage, regardless of speed,” Berg said.